Mario Carrera, the unaffiliated chairman of the panel drawing new state legislative districts, responded in writing today to the volley against him Thursday in which House Speaker Frank McNulty accused him of being unfair to Republicans.

Carrera said that, quite to the contrary of McNulty’s allegations that he did not allow Republicans an opportunity to present maps countering Democratic plans, GOP map drawers were given full notice they could submit final maps by Nov. 27. Republicans have pointed to emails between staff and members of the commission in which it appears Republicans were told they needed to submit maps by Nov. 23 but Democrats were told they could submit additional maps by Nov. 27.

But Carrera pointed to an email from Amanda King, a legislative staffer, on Nov. 25 to Cameron Lynch, a Republican map drawer, in which she asked Lynch if Republicans would be “submitting amendments over the weekend.”

Lynch replied, “I don’t believe so. Might get a commissioner with a wild hare but I doubt it.”

King replied, “Okay. Thanks. If you do end up submitting any additional plans after 5 p.m. today, would you please send me a text at [number redacted] so we can come in this weekend to process it. Thanks.”

The new map was created with the goal of “keeping Aurora whole,” but if approved it would pit two of the most effective congressional campaigners in Colorado. And who would prevail if the two congressman had to take each other on?

House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, met with the Denver Post’s editorial board before the 2011 legislative session started. He talked about the bipartisan redistricting panel that had been appointed to draw a new congressional map and about possible boundaries. (The panel couldn’t reach an agreement, which is why redistricting now is in court.)

At the time, McNulty said it wasn’t his fault that Coffman couldn’t beat Perlmutter.

McNulty laughed today when reminded about his quote in January. “I made it clear that I was joking,” he said.

Both Coffman and Perlmutter represent Aurora. Perlmutter, of Golden, represents the northern portion, along with portions of Adams and Jefferson counties. Coffman, of Aurora, represents the southern half of the city, along with all of Douglas and Elbert and portions of Arapahoe, Jeffco and Park counties.

GOP attorney Alan Hale said Republicans drew a new map over the weekend because Chief Judge Robert Hyatt indicated in his questioning that he wondered why Aurora had to be split. In fact today, when GOP attorney Richard Westfall criticized Democrats for splitting Windsor, the judge raised that very point. That’s when Republicans said they had a new map.

CLARIFICATION: It turns out a Republican lawmaker did not witness the Balmer exchange. Explanation below.

A House Republican who let a Democrat senator have it faces an investigation, but two years ago no formal action was taken when a similar incident occurred on the Senate floor.

The most recent incident involved Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, who confronted Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, Wednesday over redistricting. Both serve on a special legislative committee formed to redraw congressional boundaries.

House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said he doesn’t have all the facts yet but empaneling a committee to investigate the outburst “is going to make all of our work at the Capitol very difficult.”

Often referred to as Gold Dome High School, the Capitol is a petri dish for hurt feelings, dust ups and behavior lawmakers often regret.

A revenue proposal that embroiled the House earlier this week is headed to the Senate Thursday, where more fireworks are expected.

Republicans have proposed taking the revenue target used to craft next year’s budget and shave it by an additional 2.75 percent in case the forecasts once again fall short of what was projected. Republicans haven’t said where to make the additional budget cuts, and some Democrats counter the GOP has no idea where to start.

“Both sides will claim the other side is grandstanding — duh,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray. “But given these shaky economic times, isn’t it smart to plan for the worst and hope for the best?

“I’ve been in this building eight years and they always tell you they can’t cut any more. But when the lower revenues come in, they can always find cuts.”

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty prepared his gavel on opening day Jan. 12. The Highlands Ranch Republican got plenty of use out of it today. (Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post)

House Republicans flexed their newfound muscles this morning, with Speaker Frank McNulty repeatedly gaveling Democrats and turning off the microphone on one lawmaker during a debate over revenue projections.

Democrats — who find themselves in the minority after six years in power — ripped a GOP proposal to cut the revenue target by 2.75 percent, saying it was so meaningless it was nothing more than a “letter to Santa Claus.”

Afterward, Democrats accused Republicans of offering the proposal in an attempt to repair their reputation after two recent brouhahas: a controversial school-breakfast vote and the outcry over the GOP secretary of state moonlighting at an elections law firm.

A union rally at the state Capitol today focused on jobs. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

House Minority Leader Sal Pace came out fighting today during a labor rally at the Capitol, hammering Republicans as the party that wants to make the “rich richer.”

The Pueblo Democrat pledged to stand up for “good-paying jobs,” jobs he said unions provide.

“I’m willing to put my fist where I need to put it,” Pace said. “I’m willing to fight. I’m willing to go and rumble to make sure we’re fighting for good jobs.”

A fellow Democrat with strong union ties said Pace could have been more “tactful,” and a union staffer called his comments “abrasive,” although she was quick to add they were needed. The House majority leader accused Pace of trying to secure union donations in case of a congressional bid.

Afterward, Pace conceded: “I went a little overboard on the rhetoric.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.